Task automation and scheduling

Abstract

By analyzing activity monitoring data, a task pattern comprising a set of one or more tasks is derived. The task pattern is identified as a candidate task pattern responsive to determining that a completion variability in the task pattern is above a threshold amount. By analyzing performance data of a system used in performing the candidate task pattern, an optimum time at which to perform the candidate task pattern is identified. Responsive to detecting commencement of performance, at a time earlier than the optimum time, the candidate task pattern is delayed. The candidate task pattern is performed at the optimum time.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer-implemented method comprising:
 deriving, by analyzing activity monitoring data, a task pattern, the task pattern comprising a set of one or more tasks;   identifying the task pattern as a candidate task pattern responsive to determining that a completion variability in the task pattern is above a threshold amount;   identifying, by analyzing performance data of a system used in performing the candidate task pattern, an optimum time at which to perform the candidate task pattern;   delaying, responsive to detecting commencement of performance, at a time earlier than the optimum time, performance of the candidate task pattern; and   performing, at the optimum time, the candidate task pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 deriving, by analyzing the activity monitoring data, a second task pattern;   identifying the second task pattern as a second candidate task pattern responsive to determining that a completion variability in the second task pattern is above the threshold amount;   identifying, by analyzing performance data of a second system used in performing the second candidate task pattern, a second optimum time at which to perform the second candidate task pattern; and   alerting a user, responsive to detecting commencement of performance, at a second time earlier than the second optimum time, of the second candidate task pattern, of the second optimum time.   
     
     
         3 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 alerting, at the second optimum time, the user to perform the second candidate task pattern.   
     
     
         4 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the completion variability comprises a variability in a time elapsed while performing the task pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the completion variability comprises a variability in a sequence of the set of tasks in the task pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 1 , wherein the performance data of the system used in performing the candidate task pattern comprises a completion time of an exploratory task performed on the system used in performing the candidate task pattern, the exploratory task corresponding to a task in the candidate task pattern. 
     
     
         7 . A computer program product comprising one or more computer readable storage medium, and program instructions collectively stored on the one or more computer readable storage medium, the program instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 deriving, by analyzing activity monitoring data, a task pattern, the task pattern comprising a set of one or more tasks;   identifying the task pattern as a candidate task pattern responsive to determining that a completion variability in the task pattern is above a threshold amount;   identifying, by analyzing performance data of a system used in performing the candidate task pattern, an optimum time at which to perform the candidate task pattern;   delaying, responsive to detecting commencement of performance, at a time earlier than the optimum time, performance of the candidate task pattern; and   performing, at the optimum time, the candidate task pattern.   
     
     
         8 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the stored program instructions are stored in a computer readable storage device in a data processing system, and wherein the stored program instructions are transferred over a network from a remote data processing system. 
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the stored program instructions are stored in a computer readable storage device in a server data processing system, and wherein the stored program instructions are downloaded in response to a request over a network to a remote data processing system for use in a computer readable storage device associated with the remote data processing system, further comprising:
 program instructions to meter use of the program instructions associated with the request; and   program instructions to generate an invoice based on the metered use.   
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 deriving, by analyzing the activity monitoring data, a second task pattern;   identifying the second task pattern as a second candidate task pattern responsive to determining that a completion variability in the second task pattern is above the threshold amount;   identifying, by analyzing performance data of a second system used in performing the second candidate task pattern, a second optimum time at which to perform the second candidate task pattern; and   alerting a user, responsive to detecting commencement of performance, at a second time earlier than the second optimum time, of the second candidate task pattern, of the second optimum time.   
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 alerting, at the second optimum time, the user to perform the second candidate task pattern.   
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the completion variability comprises a variability in a time elapsed while performing the task pattern. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the completion variability comprises a variability in a sequence of the set of tasks in the task pattern. 
     
     
         14 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the performance data of the system used in performing the candidate task pattern comprises a completion time of an exploratory task performed on the system used in performing the candidate task pattern, the exploratory task corresponding to a task in the candidate task pattern. 
     
     
         15 . A computer system comprising a processor and one or more computer readable storage media, and program instructions collectively stored on the one or more computer readable storage media, the program instructions executable by the processor to cause the processor to perform operations comprising:
 deriving, by analyzing activity monitoring data, a task pattern, the task pattern comprising a set of one or more tasks;   identifying the task pattern as a candidate task pattern responsive to determining that a completion variability in the task pattern is above a threshold amount;   identifying, by analyzing performance data of a system used in performing the candidate task pattern, an optimum time at which to perform the candidate task pattern;   delaying, responsive to detecting commencement of performance, at a time earlier than the optimum time, performance of the candidate task pattern; and   performing, at the optimum time, the candidate task pattern.   
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 deriving, by analyzing the activity monitoring data, a second task pattern;   identifying the second task pattern as a second candidate task pattern responsive to determining that a completion variability in the second task pattern is above the threshold amount;   identifying, by analyzing performance data of a second system used in performing the second candidate task pattern, a second optimum time at which to perform the second candidate task pattern; and   alerting a user, responsive to detecting commencement of performance, at a second time earlier than the second optimum time, of the second candidate task pattern, of the second optimum time.   
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 alerting, at the second optimum time, the user to perform the second candidate task pattern.   
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 15 , wherein the completion variability comprises a variability in a time elapsed while performing the task pattern. 
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 15 , wherein the completion variability comprises a variability in a sequence of the set of tasks in the task pattern. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 15 , wherein the performance data of the system used in performing the candidate task pattern comprises a completion time of an exploratory task performed on the system used in performing the candidate task pattern, the exploratory task corresponding to a task in the candidate task pattern.